German technology group MS Industrie is expanding its Serbian manufacturing footprint through the acquisition of a controlling stake in precision-engineering company IDAS, adding specialised production capabilities to its operations in Europe and the United States. The group’s wholly owned subsidiary MS XTEC has agreed to acquire 51% of IDAS, which is based in Mol in northern Serbia. Founder will retain a 49% stake.
The purchase agreement was signed, with IDAS scheduled to enter MS Industrie’s consolidated operations from early October. The value of the transaction was not disclosed. IDAS generated approximately €8.5 million in revenue in 2025 and employs around 190 people. Its activities include high-precision metal components, industrial modules and assemblies, primarily serving pharmaceutical packaging and process-industry customers.
IDAS adds specialised production capabilities
The transaction gives MS Industrie access to manufacturing capabilities that complement its existing operations. MS XTEC has focused on highly automated serial production of components and systems for heavy-duty engines, hybrid and electric drives, commercial vehicles, construction machinery and stationary power applications.
IDAS operates with a different production profile, specialising in prototypes, customised precision manufacturing and smaller production runs. The acquisition will allow MS XTEC to cover activities ranging from early product development to serial manufacturing and spare-parts production. Mol will become MS XTEC’s third manufacturing location, alongside facilities in Trossingen, Germany, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Before the addition of IDAS, MS Industrie generated approximately €145 million in revenue in 2025 and employed around 400 people.
Serbian operation gains access to international customers
Integration into MS XTEC will connect IDAS with customers in Germany, other German-speaking markets and the United States. The Serbian company will therefore become part of a broader industrial network while retaining its existing precision-manufacturing capabilities.
For MS Industrie, IDAS adds exposure to pharmaceutical equipment, packaging and process industries, alongside its established activities in automotive and heavy-duty applications. IDAS has more than five decades of precision-manufacturing experience and holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications.
Acquisition model differs from greenfield investment
The transaction represents an acquisition of an established Serbian manufacturer rather than the construction of a new production facility. International manufacturers have invested in Serbia through new factories, using the country’s labour availability, operating costs, investment incentives and access to European markets.
MS Industrie is instead acquiring engineering capabilities, customer relationships and specialised production know-how already developed by a Serbian company. The structure also comes as Serbian wages rise and labour availability becomes tighter, increasing the relevance of manufacturing activities based on technical expertise, automation, flexibility and specialised production.
Expansion beyond automotive supply chains
The acquisition also increases MS Industrie’s exposure to industries outside automotive manufacturing. Automotive components remain a major part of Serbia’s industrial base, while IDAS serves pharmaceutical packaging and process-industry customers, providing access to different industrial applications. The Serbian company’s activities include small-series manufacturing and specialised engineering, adding production capabilities beyond standardised high-volume manufacturing. The purchase price has not been disclosed, while the acquired company’s €8.5 million 2025 revenue and approximately 190 employees establish the scale of the Serbian operation being incorporated into the German group.
